Healthy Living Collaboration Announced Healthy Living Heroes

The greater La Crosse community nominated 8 youth, individuals and organizations to be recognized as Healthy Living Collaboration Heroes. From the field of 8, the review committee selected 5 to receive awards. The award recipients are as follows:

Youth Award: Megan Peck.  Megan, a high school freshman, has organized and led a wide variety of youth tobacco prevention initiatives.  At a young age, Megan has demonstrated herself to be an effective advocate, educator and communicator.

Individual Honorable Mention: Lori Freit-Hammes. Lori is the director of the Health Promotion department for Mayo Clinic Health System and a tireless wellness champion. Most notable has been Lori’s leadership, hard work and dedication as co-chair of the Mayo Clinic Health System’s Big Blue Dragon Boat Race, an event that showcases physical activity and community camaraderie.

Individual Award: Anne Young. Anne is Nationally Certified Health and Fitness Instructor at the Onalaska YMCA.   Anne’s versatile training background, excellence as an instructor and commitment to help others improve their health and fitness is evident across a wide range of age and ability levels, including those battling diseases like Parkinson’s disease and cancer.

Organizational Honorable Mention: Boys and Girls Club of Greater La Crosse.  The Boys & Girls Club has been known as the “Positive Place for Kids”. The Club not only focuses on healthy eating and physical activity, but they also place a strong emphasis on making positive choices when it comes to drugs and alcohol.

Organizational Award: Cameron Park Farmers’ Market. Since May of 2013, Cameron Park Farmers’ Market has accepted FoodShare and debit cards at all of their summer and winter markets. This effort has removed some of the barriers towards healthy eating and purchasing local products, making it easier for all community members to enjoy healthy, local foods.

Healthy Living Heroes were awarded with a breakfast and plaque at the La Crosse County Healthy Living Collaboration meeting on January 9^th at the Black River Beach House. The Healthy Living Collaboration was formed in 2009 and was charged with bringing together groups working to promote nutrition, physical activity, and tobacco-free living.